Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) to Edward O.C. Ord
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00293 Author/Creator: Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) Place Written: Vicksburg, Mississippi Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 February 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Sherman writes to Ord about the Vicksburg campaign, explaining why he considers Vicksburg the hardest problem of the war. He comments on the location of the corps of Generals McPherson, McClernand and Hurlbut, and wishes Ord had a corps. Sherman also discusses the weather conditions and how he would be glad to see Ord. With pencilled underscorings. Waterstained on last page. The letter was written in a camp near Vicksburg.
Head Qrs. 15 Army Corps,
Camp Near Vicksburg Feb 22. '63
Maj Gen. E.O.C. Ord.
Cincinnati Ohio.
My Dear Friend.
Yours of Feb 8 is just received. Tell McFeely if he has not already started to take his time. I have my old Commissary Martin with me, and he is the best in this Army. and he relieves me of all care and responsibility on this score. When McFeely joins me I shall welcome him and will endeavor also to keep Captain Martin as his assistant.
I wrote you a long letter some time ago addressed to you at Louisville. If you have not received it send to the Post office [2] at Louisville for it as think I wrote something that I wanted you to Know.
Doubtless you in common with all the world would like to know what we are about here. Others have their troubles, so have we, but probably not more than our share. Vicksburg is the hardest problem of the War. I would rather undertake Richmond, for then they can get a footing. Here we are on the west bank; and the River, Rankfull of water intervenes, and we can make no landing on that Side. The canal we are digging here does not solve the problem, for the lower end of the canal, although below Vicksburg is not below the Walnut Hills which are fortified for four miles below the outlet of the Canal. Our iron clad the Indianola & Ram the Queen of the West ran the Ratlin's, but the latter was taken by the Enemy up Rio River leaving the Indianola [3] alone between Vicksburg & Port Hudson. We know nothing of the operations below at Port Hudson. Above we are cutting canals into the head of the Yazoo and Tensee, but these have been discovered by the enemy through the instrumentality of the Newspaper Spies that attend this Army, and now the Enemy obstructs as fast as our working parties clear away - McPhersons Corps is at Lake Providence. Mine and McClernand are here, and Hurlbuts at or near Memphis Jackson & Lagrange. I wish you had a Corps. and I advise you to report to Grant as soon as possible and I think you will get a Command and soon a Corps, unless you prefer the Chances East. I must confess I do not see daylight here yet, though this far we have separated the East from the West. [4] We have had a great deal of rain here, and you know how it makes the swamps here - We have no ground here even to bury our men save the line, and the roads are simply quagmires. Men have to back their rations from the Boats to their camps in the Old Cotton field. Weather has been Cool, but now the signs of spring show themselves in the budding Willows & Cottonwoods.
Indeed would I be glad to see you, and if you Cant do better come to me and act as my vice Roy. Like many a disinterested patriot I would gladly let you do all the work & I would take it Easy - Cant you run up to Lancaster, only 5 hours & See Mrs. Sherman and my little chickens. I assure you of the most hearty welcome. Love to Killburn and all friends. Ever Yr friend
Sherman
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